Typography

Kumasi, Oct. 22, GNA – An appeal had been made to the National Communications Authority (NCA) to work closely with musicians and producers to develop efficient ways of tackling piracy on the internet.

Mr. Ambrose Yennah, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of AIDEC Consultancies Limited, a management consultancy company, said this has become necessary in the face of growing electronic piracy – the result of the advancement in technology. It was now easier for many people to illegally reproduce the work of musicians on the internet. He underlined the need for a digital monitoring system to track pirates in the music and creative arts industry to assist save it from collapse. Mr. Yennah was speaking at a day’s sensitization workshop organized by the Ghana National Society of Music Producers on the copyright law at the Golden Tulip, in Kumasi. “Enforcement of the copyright law to protect the rights of musicians and music producers”, was the theme. Mr. Yennah drew attention to the huge losses in revenue to musicians and producers due to piracy, making it impossible for them to recoup investments in their works. About 90 per cent of the works of producers are estimated to be exposed to pirates because of technology, a situation, he warned, if unchecked, could dampen creativity and ingenuity in the industry. He faulted the radio stations, tourist and hospitality facilities, as well as event organizers for their reluctance to pay for copyright license fees, to give them the permission to play music for commercial purposes. Mr. Yennah advocated the establishment of a Copyright Court to deal expeditiously with copyright issues and help to bring returns on investments made by stakeholders. Mr John Mensah Sarpong, President of the National Society of Ghana Music Producers, noted that piracy had become a major hindrance to the growth of the music industry and called for effective enforcement of the copyright law. He also urged the various splinter associations to come together to fight the common cause of bringing down piracy.